Seven In The City: A Girls Vacay in Tours, France

Bonjour mon ami!

I’m day dreaming of my vacay with the girls. I returned home last night and whilst I think there really is no better feeling than falling into your own bed, I am recollecting cafe awnings, lunching in the shade of parasols, the smell of freshly baked baguettes and seven girls lying in the sun, chatting about life whilst sipping a Gin & Tonic. Or five.

As relaxing as the trip was I’ve just caught a glance of myself in the mirror and I look like a walking baguette. I’m not even joking, the abundance of oozy, seductive cheeses, meats, wine and sensuous freshly baked baguettes were divine and I have to admit, are still making my mouth water. I literally haven’t eaten that much bread. Ever.

I think I am going cold bread turkey…does that exist?

I can’t really complain because god it was good. I am however now officially carb free, nil by mouth and running round the park like hell. But what a vacay. I feel rested, sun-kissed and suitably refreshed. The weather was beautiful, bikini by the pool beautiful. We stayed in a newly renovated, authentic mansion and just 10 minutes walk from the train station Gare de Tours.

NOTRE MAISON

If you love high ceilings, original wooden floors, spacious rooms combined with modern furniture then this is the ideal maison for you. It comfortably caters for eight people, contains everything you need and is a stones throw away from local shops.

There’s something about time away with the girls which means no inhibitions, we don’t have to shave our legs if we don’t want to or wear makeup. Complete silence reading books is totally acceptable, so is chatting incessantly about magazine articles then randomly checking in to see what time Gin o’clock starts…does life get any better than that? It’s happiness, escapism, nirvana.

Of course we didn’t just lie by the pool, we explored Chinon (an area extremely well known for its vineyards) with Olaloire who arrange group tours in the Loire Valley. Here’s what we got up to:

WINE TASTING AT VIGNOBLES DU PARADIS

Vignobles du Paradis is a Chinon wine producer, they began in 1989 and now proudly boast cultivating grapes on 40 hectares. It is set in a beautiful location and offer wines aged in limestone cellars. We sampled five different wines and with a diverse group that mostly prefers white, one who detests rose and a select few preferring red, you can imagine the discussions taking place.

MORE WINE TASTING AT CHATEAU DE CHARGE

This Loire Valley Retreat is an incredible sight for sore eyes with manicured grounds, phenomenal views, heaps of history and what I really like is that it is run by a half English, half French family (Jerome and Charlotte) who swapped corporate for French life in 2008.

I am looking forward to learning more about their forthcoming offers, it is most definitely a perfect pamper retreat. You can follow them on their Facebook page here.

Chateau de Charge

Chateau de Charge

Our tour guide for the day, the wonderful Agathe

Do you know the Five ‘S’ for wine tasting?

See

Sniff

Swirl

Smell

Savour

You’re welcome.

The journey back after two wine tastings was just brilliant, Spotify didn’t let us down with some old hits which resulted in a karaoke bus full of Brits (and an Irish chick!). Sorry Agathe for your burst ear drums!

Having time away from home regardless of who you are with is always a wonderful idea, and these past few days really was a heavenly escape for our group and we loved every second. Thanks ladies, I had the best time!

N x

So hey you, yes you..I want to thank you for reading my post. Whether you’ve stuck around since the beginning of my journey or whether you’re new to my blog, thank you for reading and supporting. I genuinely appreciate it.

Hi, I’m Nicci – writer and founder of niccimcshane.com. My lifestyle blog journey began as an expat in 2016 looking for methods of self improvement through confidence, inner peace and independence. Follow me as I continue to share experiences on how to love ourselves and to not just exist, but live.